Coupling



May 17, 1927'. 1,629,375

H. E. BRICE l COUPLING Filed Jan. 8, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fyiy INVENTDR May 17 1927. v 1,629,375

H. E. BRICE COUPLING Fi1ed'Jan.8, 1926 y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Il v H. E. BRICE 3 sheets-Sheet s oo UPLING Filed Jan. 8. 1926 ATTORNEY tez" Patented May l7, 1927.

HENRY n Baron, or new Yoan, n. Y;

coUrLrNe.

Application led January 8, 1,9261 Sferi1'No.' 80,0571.

This invention relates to improvements in couplings, and has particular reference to a' `tra'nsu'iissien coupling. y

he primary object of the invention, is to 5 provide a means Vfor locking two rotative bodies, such as tivo shafts, or a shaft and sleeve, so that they `rot-ate as a single unit, the locking being as thorough and positive as if theyfwere provided with interlocking teeth, and yet having no clashing'parts during the locking operation.

To more clearly understand the above ob-. ject, it might be well to mention that heretofore two rotative bodies have been locked or coupled together by one or two ways, namely by friction means, such as a friction clutch, and interlocking means, that is means wherein mutual interlocking parts are' hrought into co-actingA relation'. The friction means have two features which in .some

respects are serious defects. one is a gradual, slipping hold and the other is the necessity for great Apressure by the use of springs.

rhe interlocking means have neither of these' defects, but have another defect of their own, which is the clash ofv the Whirl-Y interlocking parts at the time of interiecgi f My object is to combine the` ad# vantages of the interlocking means, a thor'- ough positive hold, andV freedom lfrom springs with the at vantage of the friction'al means, that is, the freedom fromV the clashing parts. 1 v

t Will be appreciated, that if two shafts or sleeves can be coupled .at will Without clashing, these parts may operate gears which are always in mesh, and the operation of coupling such parts ivillbe easier than' the sliding of This is the principal s' to which my invention is adapted and especially designed for connecting` the ving shaft and the dri-ven shafts ,of the trans iission of a motor propelled vehicle.

Tiifith these and other objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, the 'essential features of Which are hereinatter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing,iin vvhichz- Figure lis a vertical longitudinal sectional vieiv showing my invention as ap plied te the transmission of a motor vehicle. l Y Figure 9. is a vertical transverse sectional view on the' line 2-:2 of Figure l.

the 'locking pawlseparated from its support?. iug'st'ructure., e Y

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective View yof the shiftingv coljlar vvith its correlatedy part in separated condition, l

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional vievv showing a slightly Vmddified form of my invention.'

paivl actuatingl device slioivn lin Figure 5.

another modification.

FigureV 8 a detail' sectional view of another modilied form. Figures 9', l0, 1l and l2 aredetail views o a still further modification,

`Figures 13 and 14; illus rrate bodli'ments of my invention.

further emparts throughout the several different forms of my invention. y l

Referringv more particularly t0 the dravving, thereference numeral 1 designates a or the driven shaft. These shafts or parts are lcorrespondingly numbered through" the several modified forms but in thepreferred fornutheseshafts .are showvnas a part of the transmission of a' motor propelled vehicle, or other motor driven machine `wherein trans'- mission mechanismr is employed. The shafts are Vdisposed in .axial alignment and norn'ial'ly rotate' independentlyof each, other." The shaft 2 has one ofitsfends enlarged to provide .a sleeve 3: Within Whiclrone end of hearing il' carried at the'endof the shaft 2' nori-n'a-lly rotated with respect thereto, but may be causedto rotate with the shaft 2 inl shafts I and 2. description of one will si'iflice for the other as the parts and oper-V ation areidentical. n

4 The Wallof" thesleeve 3 is provided with a longitudinal slot 5., thejva'lls of which are inclined in opposite directionsand are vprovided With groot/es 6 for the reception'of 'a slidahle member 7. The member f( lis fifn the grooves as' to lpermit a portion of the pel riphery to eXtend'in-to said slot.V The cou- Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of' Figure 7 visa sectional perspective view` of Like' characters of reference refer to like driving shaft, and 2 the shaft to be `drivem and which is received in a recessr provided the end' of the lshaft 1. Ihalve also shown a; sleeve 2B mounted on the shaft 2, hutinstead"i of being integral therewith, the sleeve'. 'ijs a manner similar to that which couples the shape of a'ball and is so/seated iii-the" Y Y e5 Figure `Gislafdetfai'l perspective vievv of the 1 the shaft l extends `andkis ysupported by a` L about the periphery of the shaft 1 in suchV pling end of the shaft 1 is formed with a manner that its own center is not entirely in a perpendicular plane of the shaft.v In other words, the groove is cam shapedV as shown in Figure 1.- of the drawings and it will be noted that one side of the groove is shown in full lines but the opposite side is illustrated in dotted lines and may be of any shape, pro* viding a part of the groove is out of a perpendieular plane, and which part is shown at 12 in the drawings. Theball 7 extends into the groove 11,` and it will be evident that with such groove the ball cannot travel lthrough it without imparting reciprocation of the same along its track 6.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that if the shaft 2 is held stationary while the shaft 1 is rotated the ball 7 is forced to slide to the right and left by reason of the same travelling in the cam shaped groove 11. It is my intention to provide means for loekingand unlocking this ball by permitting or impeding this right and left motion. If when the ball 7 is at the limit of its left movement, something is placed in its path to prevent its returning to the right again, both shafts will be locked together for simultaneous rotation. For controlling the operation of the ball 7, I provide a pawl 13-having trunnions 14 which seat in recesses 8 communicating withV the slot 5, so as to pivotally support the pawl within the slot and above the ball 7. The pawl 13 has a bill 15 at its forward end, the Ysides of whichv are inclined to conform to the shape ofthe walls of the slot 5 while the tail 16 extends at an angle with respect tothe major portion of its length and is widened for reception in an enlarged portion 17 ofthe slot 5 as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

For controlling the operation of the pawl 13, I employ manually operable control means 18 which includes a shifting collar 19 v which is keyed to the exterior of the sleeve 3 as at 20 for sliding movement with respect thereto. The shifting collar is cut-away as at 21 to slidably receive a yieldable U-shaped part 22 which is held under tension by an -expansible spring 23 interposed between the collar vand said part. The spring constantly holds the part 22 in engagement with the pawl 13. f Y

For manually sliding the collar 19 with respect to the pawl, I provide a shifting rod 24 such as are used for shifting gears on the sliding gear system of transmission.v The shifting rod carries forks 25 for co-action with the shifting collars of the respective coupling means, and it will be readily understood that an operating 'lever is employed for imparting the necessary sliding movement to the rod 24. I have deemed it necessary to show mechanism operable by only two of these collars but if desired, any number may be provided, and a second shifting rod 26 may be disposed adjacent the rod 24 for controlling other shifting collars, and which rod may also be controlled by a suitable lever.

A collar 101 which could beV made in halves, is provided for the purpose of anchoring the sleeve 3 against longitudinal movement away from Ythe shaft 1, the said eollar being bolted. to the sleeve as at 102. The shoulder 103 on the shaft 2 prevents similar movement of the sleeve 2D. I

is hereinbefore mentioned, shaft 1 represents the driving shaft and in the preferred form, the same may be termed 'the shaft which leads from the clutch to the transmission and which imparts rotation to a gear 27 fixed thereto, and which meshes with a gear 28 .fixed to a counter-shaft 29.111 gear 30 is also fixed to the counter shaft and meshes with a gear 31 carried by the sleeve 2B. All of these parts are revolved simultaneously with the shaft 1, but they have no effect on the shaft 2 unless the sleeve 2B or 3 is locked. This locking can be accomplished by pushing the rodL 24 either to the right or left, and pushing the same to the left will lool: the shaft 2 by its sleeve 3 with the shaft 1 while movement of the same to the right will cause locking of the sleeve 2L with the shaft 2. In Figure 1 of the drawings, the rod 24 is shown as in. a neutral position andthe only effect produced by turning the shaft, would be to reciprocate the sliding balls`7. It will be appreciated that it is perfectly feasible to have the shaft 1 lead to the universal instead of leading from the clutch and to have the shaft 2 lead from the clutch instead. v v

vIn' operation, when the shifting collar 19 is moved toward the left in Figure 1, the part 22 pushes against the forward end of the pawl 13 and imparts a rocking movement thereto, causing the bill 15 to move downward toward shaft 1; It might be here mentioned that normalh`- the part 22 engages the tail 16 of the pawl which holds the bill out ofthe path of movement of the ball 7.' f, at the moment the shifting collar is thrown to the left, the sliding ball 7 at the limit of its left movement, the bill 15 of the pawl will drop behind the ball, thus blocking the return of the same to the right, causing the locking of the shafts 1 and 2. VIn the event that the ball 7 is in an intermediate position when t-he shifting collar is moved to the left, said collar will cause the spring 23 to be placed under compression at whichtime the end of the pawl will remain idle fora half-revolution or less of the shaft 1, until the ball 7 reaches its extreme left posivnioveinentby a4 pivoted paWl 13 mou tion, then the spring 23 will force the billy 15 et thel pawl behind the ball'.

From the foregoing', it Willae understood that either shaft may be thedriven shafty providing one oi' the shafts isf normally motionless While the other is rotated, rlhe rotation ot either shaft will cause the reciprof, cation of the ball 7 ttor causing the 'same to co-act and lock with the Walls oit the eaniportion-l et the groove 11. t

In Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing, have shown a @lightly modified construction in' which, the sleeve 3 is separate from the shaft 2 but is slidabl'e `with respect thereto andr rotatable therewith. rlhe end et the shat'tQ is provided with hey Ways 32 for receiving the respective keys 3 3 provided on the sleeve 3. The shafts 1 and 2 are sivivelly con-` nected togetherl as at 34 so as to normally rotate independently ot each other. rllie sleeve 3 is reduced and recessed to receive a ineniler 7 having a seat lor receiving a spherical member or ball 10 which extends into the cani groove 11. r)The member 7 is `held Within the sleeve by a ring which sleeve entire reoiproeable and is held againstencireles the reduced portion of the and issecured thereto by Cotter pins n this torni of the invention, the

sleeve 3Av upon the shaft 2 by a collar 37. The shittin` collar 19 is keyed to, and slidable over sha .i and operates a yieldable part 22 whieh the shoulder 38 on the paivl for tilting` the saine. ln operation, the paul lfl dro s behind the end o'f the sleeve When the shitting collar has been moved and the sleeve is in its extreme left position.

lln vFigure 7 of the drawing, the construction is somewhat similar to that shown in the preferred forni but in Whic ithe groove 11A is formed in a pair of semi-cylindrical parts 39 and 40, which serves as a lining and is ield Within the sliding member 7A byv a ring or nut 4 v threaded to Said ineii'ibei. The ball 10B is seated in a Senn-circular de, pression in the sliJl't 1. )L suitable means. may be employed for lockingv the sleeve against reeiprocation, Which ivill Cause .the ball 10i3 to co-aet With the Walls ot the groove 11A, to cause rotation oit both sha In Figure 8, l have shown that instead oi' having a Cam Shaped groove 'forn'ied in the shaft 1, the saine may be provided with a similar shaped rib 42 which passes between spaced. rollers 4?) and 44, carried by a part 4o whieli in turn is anchored to the slidu 3 member 7.

In the 'form of iny invention shown in Ji i! tres 9 to 12 inclusive, i provide a lineais J oeking the shafts Which would beesoev adapted toshatts` revolving at a high ot speed. ln these figures, theshaft 1'r is intended to do the driving and carries aV carried by the shifting'collar 19B.- ythe part 47 is at thel .extreme lett as shown pawl 46 pivotally mounted#oni'ithel sleeve .as at 14 'and which travels With'lthe sleeve..vv

This paivl is controlled by asliding part 47 1When in Figure 10, the Vnose 48 ot'the' pa-wl ei;- tends downl within a recess 49 Wliiehis clearly vshown in Figure 12,: providing the vsliding' member 7 is not at that moment obstructing its movement. lt the sliding ineinber 7 happens to Vbe inthe Way'the pawl remains stationary until the member moves a 'zol suiiricient distance togpermit the nose to be dropped down. Centrifugal torce acting on the other end ofthe pand, tends to cause the nose to dro p to an engagement position. its soon as the nose 48' is down, it is vready t be caught bythe corner 49 ot the part 7' as shown Vin Figure 10, vandthis corner, vin vsei'iding the nose 48 out ol itsk uay, rocks the pawlY and sends the'end 50 behind the roller lcarried by the member 7@ As the part 7' endeavors to return, it tinus .its path blocked by the tail or end 5() Whieh `is `now moved between the roller 51 and the ridge shown in Figure 11 of the drawing. The controlling part 47 is the only means whichV holds the pavvlf'against t-he sleeve 7. The unlocking is accomplishedzby havii u' the controlling part 47 inoved toward -tlie i ht, in

ing member and in this iigure, l liaves`.o'\vn a pair oit grooves` 11C andv 11D. `Ehe eccentrie points in vthese'grooves are approximately 1800i apart, that is, the saine are arranged at diametrically.opposite points on the shaft. lt Vwill be appreciated that more than tivo grooves inight 'be provided itV de'- sired and if four are employed, the grooves would be arranged at 900 apartrtheidea being to` have all the slidingineinbers 7. at their fai points at one tiinel` The sliding members canfbe either detached as shownv in Figure 13 or they lcan be parts ot one-inte-Y gral piece.

En this v torni', l have also shown grooves as being' provided with aehannel 54 to tacilitate the movement eta lubrieanhfivhile the sliding member 3 is 'provided ivithseinif eireular recesses Vfor thereception ot the spherical members and Which reeesses :comlinunicate with the exterior ety the sleeve through suitable openings 55.

ln Figure 14, I have shorfn a modiiied,

:torni siinilar to that shown in the preierred,

' torni but in which the ball 7 i'sseated against- Y claims.

vforu'is with the exception that the sameA ceacts Withthe member 60 instead of directly with the ball.

`While I have described what I vdeem to be the most desirable embodiment of my in-V vention, it is obvious that many of the details may be varied Without in any Way departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exactdetails of construction herein set forth nor to anything less than the Whole of my invention limited only by the appended Vhat is claimed as new is f l. In a coupling` for driving inv either direction, the combination of a driving rotatable part, a driven rotatable part, a reciprocable member, movable in a plane 4parallel to the avis of said shafts, means on one of said parts for imparting reciprocation to said member upon rotation of said part, a swingingly mounted locking men'iber, and means for holding said locking member out of the path of movement of said reciprocating member, to allow said parts to rotate independently of each other.

In a coupling, the combination of a driving rotatable part, a driven rotatable part, a reciprocable member movable in a plane parallel tothe axis of said shafts, means on one of said parts for imparting reciprocation to said mcn'iber upon rotation oil .said part, a locking member, and means for holding said locking member out of the path of movement of said'reciiirocatingl member, to allow said parts to rotate independently of each other, and control means `for actuating said last means for moving the same into the path of movement of said reciprocable member to cause the same to co-act with the first mentioned means to impart rotation from said driving part to said driven part.

3. In a coupling, the combination of a driving part, a driven part, a reciprocable .member movable in a plane parallel to the axis of said shafts, means on one of said parts for imparting reciprocating motion to said member upon rotation of said part, a

vlocking member, means for normally holding said locking member out of the path of movement of said reciprocating member, and manual control means for actuating said last mentioned means for causing the saine to engage said first means for causing simultaneous rotation of both said-parts.

4. In a coupling, the combination of a driving part, a driven part, a reciprocable member movable in a plane parallel to the axisof said shafts, means on one of said parts for imparting reciprocating motion 'to said member upon rotation of said part, a locking member, slidable means for normally holding said locking member out of the path of movement of said reciprocating member, and'manual control means for sliding` said last mentioned means'for causing the same to engage said first means for causing simultaneous rotation of both said parts.

In a coupling for driving in either direction, a pair of revoluble shafts disposedY in axial alignment and normally revoluble independently of each other, a body keyed to one of said shafts, co-acting means between said body and the other of said shafts for causing said body to slide longitudinally and normally rotatable with respect to each other, a body slidably and non-rotatively connected to one of said shafts, means on the other of said shafts for coaction With said body for causing the same to move longitudin ally to-and-fro upon the rotation of either shaft with respect to the other of said shafts, and an anchored member normally disposed out of the path of said body and capable-of movement into the path of the same for causing the said shafts to revolve together.

7. In a coupling, a driving revoluble member, a driven revoluble member, a body both slidably and non-rotatatively connectcd to said driven member, means on said driving member for co-action With said body for moving said bodylongitudinally to-andfro along said driven member When either of said members is revolved out of unison Y ing member to move the same into the path of sliding movement of said body for'caus'- ing said members to revolve simultaneously in the same direction.

8. In a coupling for driving in either di rection, a driving revoluble member, a driven revoluble member, a body slidably and non-rotatively connected to one of the members, means co-acting` With said'body and the other of the members to cause said body to move longitudinally to-and-fro along the member to Which it is slidably connected, means for anchoring said driving and driven members against longitudinal axial movement, and a solid obstruction movable into the path of movement of said body for causing said members to rotate simultaneously. y

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature. 

